Terror, Tariffs And AI: Key Takeaways From BRICS New Delhi Declaration

BRICS leaders on Saturday unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, outlining the grouping’s position on global conflicts, terrorism, trade, climate change, technology and development.

The 140-point document, titled “New Delhi Declaration — Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” backed India and Brazil’s aspirations for a greater role in the United Nations, opposed the Israeli war in Gaza, promoted local-currency trade and endorsed India-led initiatives on financial risk management, artificial intelligence and big-cat conservation.

Key Takeaways From the BRICS New Delhi Declaration

Pahalgam Attack: BRICS strongly condemned the April 22, 2025 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people and injured several others.

Nuclear Facilities: The grouping expressed serious concern over attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. It said such attacks violate international law and IAEA resolutions.

UN Security Council Reform: China and Russia backed India and Brazil’s aspirations for a greater role in the United Nations, including permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

Gaza Ceasefire: BRICS called for an Israeli ceasefire in Gaza and demanded full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access.

No Forced Displacement: The grouping opposed the forced displacement of Palestinians, whether temporary or permanent and under any pretext.

Two-State Solution: BRICS backed Palestine’s full membership of the United Nations and called for support for a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

Tariffs: BRICS expressed serious concern over rising unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures, saying they distort trade and are inconsistent with World Trade Organization rules.

Protectionism: The grouping opposed protectionist measures presented as environmental policies.

Sanctions: BRICS condemned unilateral economic sanctions and secondary sanctions, opposing sanctions that are not authorised by the UN Security Council.

Carbon Border Taxes: BRICS opposed unilateral, punitive, discriminatory and protectionist measures such as carbon border adjustment mechanisms when they do not comply with international law.

WTO Reform: The grouping reaffirmed support for reform of the WTO and backed an open, transparent, fair, inclusive and rules-based global trading system with the WTO at its core.

Developing Countries: The declaration reaffirmed the principles of Most-Favoured-Nation Treatment and Special and Differential Treatment for developing countries, particularly least developed countries.

Local-Currency Payments: BRICS supported greater interoperability between cross-border payment and messaging systems and encouraged trade and investment settlements in BRICS local currencies, while respecting national priorities.

BRICS Risk Lab: Members expressed interest in India’s proposal to establish a BRICS Risk Lab at GIFT City’s International Financial Services Centre in Gujarat.

Insurance Resilience: The proposal is part of a voluntary BRICS Insurance Resilience Centre aimed at developing common risk models, sharing best practices and building specialist capabilities.

Reinsurance: BRICS members agreed to continue discussions on strengthening reinsurance capacity among member countries.

AI Governance: BRICS committed to implementing the BRICS Leaders’ Statement on Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence.

Lebanon: The grouping called on Israel to respect its agreements with the Lebanese government and withdraw its occupying forces from Lebanese territory.

UNIFIL Peacekeepers: BRICS expressed condolences over the deaths of four Indonesian peacekeepers and other personnel serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Big Cats: BRICS endorsed India’s initiative to establish an International Big Cats Alliance and encouraged member countries to cooperate on big-cat conservation.